Shane van Gisbergen is setting his sights on a breakthrough in the Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Chase for the 2026 season, aiming to overcome past challenges and adapt to NASCAR’s evolving playoff format. The New Zealander, racing with Trackhouse Racing, believes his progress on oval tracks, following a transformative debut since 2023, positions him as a true contender for the coveted playoff spots.
Van Gisbergen’s Adaptation to NASCAR’s Changing Playoff Format
When Shane van Gisbergen burst onto the NASCAR scene with a remarkable victory in his first race at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, it was clear he possessed the skills to shake up the series. Transitioning to a full-time role in 2025 after just missing a win at Watkins Glen, van Gisbergen brought his international winner’s mindset to the No.88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.
Though initially challenged by oval circuits, he was able to use his expertise from the Australian Supercars Championship to excel on road courses, tallying five wins, including a crucial playoff victory at the Charlotte Roval. However, he was eliminated from the Chase in the Round of 16, unable to capitalize fully on his strengths as NASCAR placed increased emphasis on consistent results rather than just victories.
The 2026 season introduces further changes to the Chase format, increasing the importance of points accumulation over solely scoring race wins. Asked about this shift and how it relates to his approach, van Gisbergen shared his thoughts:
“I think it kind of needed a change. Yeah, but it’s hard for me, like the reason I’m in this series is because of win-and-you’re-in right, but I feel like I’ve gotten better at ovals to where I don’t have to rely on it. But yeah, it’s certainly going to be an achievement to make that Top 16.”
– Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“But I think it’s a good target for us and something that is achievable. I think it rewards those top guys now, you know, that are always winning and they were the guys calling for it, I guess. But yeah, for me, that’s more of a pure racing championship, so probably a good thing in that regard,”
he added. – Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Growth on Oval Circuits and Steady Progress
Van Gisbergen’s efforts to adapt to American oval racing have begun to pay dividends. By the end of the 2025 season, his qualifying performance saw a jump from outside the top 30 to consistent mid-pack starts. He achieved a career milestone at Kansas Speedway, earning his first top-10 finish on an oval, a signal of his growing comfort and competitive edge.
Reflecting on this improvement, van Gisbergen explained the learning process he has undergone with each lap and race:
“It’s just the knowledge like I’m going to all these places for the second, third 4th time and I felt so much more comfortable at the end of last year,”
he said. – Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Such experience has been instrumental in his rise up the standings. Had the new Chase cutoff rules applied in 2025, van Gisbergen would have found himself ranked 15th with 2204 points, solidifying his trajectory toward playoff contention under the revamped system.
The updated Chase format now grants 15 points more for a race winner than the typical 40 points, adding further value to each victory. This adjustment could prove crucial as van Gisbergen pushes to stay inside the top ranks and secure his spot among NASCAR’s elite in 2026.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Returning to his iconic #97 for the 2026 season, a number closely tied to his title-winning achievements in Australia, van Gisbergen enters the upcoming competition with renewed confidence and a clear target. The lessons learned from his first full time years, combined with his adaptability and persistence, make him a strong candidate to thrive in NASCAR’s evolving playoff environment.
As the field grows increasingly competitive, van Gisbergen’s blend of international racing pedigree and improving oval track results signal that he may become a constant presence in the Chase, bringing global attention to NASCAR and raising the stakes for every playoff hopeful.
"It's hard for me because the reason I'm in this series is because of win and you're in."
But @shanevg97 went on to say The Chase is more of a "pure form of racing championship" adding that the format needed a change. 🏆
Big words from SVG 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZU7a3iKi8I
— PRN (@PRNlive) January 23, 2026
